1987 in professional wrestling

none 1987 professional wrestling 1987 in professional wrestling describes the year's events in the world of professional wrestling. List of notable promotions These promotions held notable events in 1987. Promotion NameAbbreviationAll Japan Women's Pro-WrestlingAJWAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFEmpresa Mexicana de Lucha LibreEMLLJim Crockett PromotionsJCPNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWWorld Class Championship WrestlingWCCWWorld Wrestling CouncilWWCWorld Wrestling FederationWWF Calendar of notable shows DatePromotion(s)EventLocationMain EventFebruary 21WWFSaturday Night's Main EventDetroit, MichiganRandy Savage (c) defeated George Steele by count-out in a singles match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship and the managerial services of Miss ElizabethMarch 29WWFWrestleMania IIIPontiac, MichiganHulk Hogan (c) defeated André the Giant in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/03/29/wrestlemania-attendance/ WrestleMania III Breaks Attendance Record: Wake-Up Video Anderson Kyle 2010-03-29 MTV 2010-09-08 2010-04-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20100404010718/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/03/29/wrestlemania-attendance deadApril 12 EMLL31. Aniversario de Arena MéxicoMexico City, MexicoCien Caras defeated Siglo XX in a Lucha de Apuestas hair vs. hair match Lucha 2000 Staff Arena México: 50 anos de Lucha Libre Lucha 2000 Especial 28 April 2006 SpanishApril 10–11JCP2nd Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentBaltimore, MarylandApril 11: The Super Powers (Nikita Koloff and Dusty Rhodes) defeated Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger in a tournament final2nd Annual Crockett Cup http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/cup.html#2nd Wrestling Supercards & Tournaments August 23, 2009April 16AWARage in a Cage IILas Vegas, NevadaWahoo McDaniel defeated Curt Hennig in a Steel Cage MatchApril 28WWFSaturday Night's Main EventNotre Dame, IndianaRandy Savage defeated George Steele in a Lumberjack matchMay 2AWASuperClash IIDaly City, CaliforniaCurt Hennig defeated Nick Bockwinkel (c) in a singles match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/awa/superclash.html#sc2 SuperClash II May 2, 1987 Pro Wrestling History April 4, 2015May 3WCCW4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of ChampionsIrving, TexasKevin Von Erich (c) wrestled Nord the Barbarian to a double count out in a singles match for the WCWA World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/wccw/parade.html#87 4th Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 3, 1987 April 10, 2015 Pro Wrestling HistoryMay 9CWFFirst Annual Eddie Graham Memorial ShowSt. Petersburg, FloridaDusty Rhodes (c) defeated Ric Flair by disqualification in a singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/florida/flmisc.html#graham Eddie Graham Memorial Show ProWrestlingHistory.comJune 12NJPWG1 ClimaxTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki defeated Masa Saito in the finalsJune 25AJWJapan Grand PrixTokyo, JapanChigusa Nagayo defeated Dump Matsumoto in the finalsJuly 4JCPThe Great American BashAtlantaThe Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk), Nikita Koloff, Dusty Rhodes and Paul Ellering defeated The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, Tully Blanchard and J. J. Dillon) in a WarGames matchMeltzer Dave Dave Meltzer July 13, 1987 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Top Story 7.13.87July 18Charlotte, North CarolinaDusty Rhodes defeated Tully Blanchard in a "lights-out" Barbed Wire Ladder match for $100,000.July 31MiamiThe Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk), Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff and Paul Ellering defeated The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger and Tully Blanchard) and The War Machine in a WarGames matchSeptember 1 CWFBattle of the Belts IIIDaytona Beach, FloridaRic Flair (c) fought Lex Luger to a draw in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 4 WWFKing of the RingProvidence, Rhode IslandRandy Savage defeated King Kong Bundy in a King of the Ring tournament final matchhttp://www.profightdb.com/cards/wwf/king-of-the-ring-3987-3571.html WWF King of the Ring '87 at Providence Civic Center wrestling results – Internet Wrestling Database www.profightdb.com 2019-10-08September 18EMLLEMLL 54th Anniversary ShowMexico City, MexicoMogur defeated As Charro in a Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask matchhttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/anniversary75.html#54 54th Anniversary Show September 18, 1987 November 1, 2012 Pro Wrestling HistorySeptember 20WWCWWC 14th AniversarioBayamón, Puerto RicoMayaguez, Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto RicoInvader #1 defeated Chicky Starr in a "Retirement vs. hair" matchSeptember 23WWFSaturday Night's Main EventHershey, PennsylvaniaHulk Hogan (c) defeated Sika in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipOctober 10AJWTag League the BestTokyo, JapanChigusa Nagayo & Yumiko Hotta defeated Hisako Uno & Yukari Omori in the finalsOctober 17WCCW4th Cotton Bowl ExtravaganzaDallas, TexasKevin Von Erich defeated Al Perez (c) in a singles match for the WCWA World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/wccw/cotton.html#87 4th Cotton Bowl Extravaganza October 17, 1987 April 10, 2015 Pro Wrestling HistoryHistorical Cards: 4th Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 17, 1987. Dallas, Texas) PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts Kappa Publications 2007 Edition 172November 11WWFSaturday Night's Main EventSeattle, WashingtonKing Kong Bundy defeated Hulk Hogan (c) in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipNovember 26WWFSurvivor SeriesRichfield Township, OhioAndré the Giant, Butch Reed, King Kong Bundy, One Man Gang and Rick Rude defeated Bam Bam Bigelow, Don Muraco, Hulk Hogan, Ken Patera and Paul Orndorff in a 5-on-5 Survivor Series matchhttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/survivor.html#87 Survivor Series 1987 results Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments 2008-05-27JCPStarrcadeChicago, IllinoisRic Flair defeated Ron Garvin (c) in a steel cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championshiphttp://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_23994.shtml SPECIALIST – 20 Years Ago: Detailed look back at Starrcade '87 with Flair vs. Garvin Brian Hoops 2007-12-18 PWTorch 2008-05-24December 7NJPWJapan Cup Tag LeagueTokyo, JapanAntonio Inoki & Dick Murdoch defeated Kengo Kimura & Tatsumi Fujinami in the finalsWWFSaturday Night's Main EventLandover, MarylandHulk Hogan (c) defeated King Kong Bundy in a singles match for the WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipDecember 26 AJWAll Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling at Korauken HallTokyo, JapanDevil Masami has her retirement match against Chigusa NagayoAJW Retro Hour Zenjo Classics #23 2/17/09 quebrada.net http://quebrada.net/videos/AJW1.html 12 April 2023 (c) – denotes defending champion(s) Tournaments and accomplishments AJW AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotes Japan Grand Prix 1987Chigusa NagayoJune 28Rookie of the Year Decision TournamentToshiyo Yamada Tag League the Best 1987Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness AsukaOctober 11 JCP AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesBunkhouse StampedeDusty Rhodeshttp://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/misctny.html#bunk Bunkhouse Stampedes Pro Wrestling History June 17, 2015The History of Professional Wrestling: Jim Crockett Promotions & the NWA World Title 1983–1988 Cawthon Graham Cornette Jim 2013-12-25 CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 9781494803476 Sawyer Grant 1 EnglishJim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team TournamentThe Super Powers (Nikita Koloff and Dusty Rhodes)April 11 WWF AccomplishmentWinnerDate wonNotesFrank Tunney Sr. Memorial Tag Team TournamentThe Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell)March 15King of the RingRandy SavageSeptember 4 Slammy Awards Slammy Award PollWinnerBest Performance by an Animal George "The Animal" Steelehttp://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/slammy.htm Slammy Awards History Wrestling Information Archive 2008-02-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20110908073222/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/slammy.htm 2011-09-08 deadhttp://www.twnpnews.com/information/WWE/slammys1987.shtml WWF Slammy Awards (1987) TWNP News 2008-02-22http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/slammy.html#87 WWF Slammy Awards (1987) Pro Wrestling History 2008-02-22Woman of the Year Miss ElizabethBest Ring Apparel Harley RaceHulk Hogan Real American Award Superstar Billy GrahamJesse "The Body" Award "Ravishing" Rick RudeGreatest Hit Jim DugganManager of the Year None Best Personal Hygiene Nikolai Volkoff, Boris Zhukov, and SlickBest Vocal Performance Jim DugganSong of the Year No winner (envelope eaten by Sika)http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/MatMatters/2008/12/07/7661906.html https://web.archive.org/web/20151018030637/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/MatMatters/2008/12/07/7661906.html dead October 18, 2015 Bringing back Slammy Awards – a good, bad idea Bishop, Matt and Matt Mackinder December 7, 2008 SLAM! Wrestling 2008-12-09Best Group One Man GangHumanitarian of the Year Ted DiBiaseBest Head Gene Okerlund and Bam Bam BigelowBobby "The Brain" Heenan Scholarship Award The Islanders (Haku & Tama), André the Giant, Hercules, King Kong Bundy, and Harley Race Awards and honors Pro Wrestling Illustrated List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards CategoryWinnerPWI Wrestler of the YearHulk HoganPWI Tag Team of the YearThe Midnight Express(Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane)PWI Match of the YearRandy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat (WrestleMania III)PWI Feud of the YearThe Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Lex Luger) vs. The Super Powers (Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff) and The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal)PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the YearDusty RhodesPWI Most Hated Wrestler of the YearRic FlairPWI Most Improved Wrestler of the YearCurt HennigPWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the YearNikita KoloffPWI Rookie of the YearOwen HartPWI Lifetime AchievementPaul BoeschPWI Editor's AwardJimmy Hart Wrestling Observer Newsletter List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards CategoryWinnerWrestler of the YearRiki ChoshuMost OutstandingRic FlairFeud of the YearAustin Idol and Tommy Rich vs. Jerry LawlerTag Team of the YearThe Midnight Express(Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane)Most ImprovedRick SteinerBest on InterviewsJim Cornette Title changes WWF WWF World Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Hulk HoganDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes WWF Intercontinental ChampionshipIncoming champion – Randy SavageDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)March 29Ricky SteamboatWrestleMania IIIJune 2The Honky Tonk ManSuperstars of Wrestling Aired on tape delay on June 13 WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight ChampionshipIncoming champion – Antonio InokiDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes WWF Women's Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)No title changes WWF Women's ChampionshipIncoming champion – The Fabulous MoolahDateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)July 24Sensational SherriLive event WWF Tag Team ChampionshipIncoming champions – The British Bulldogs (British Bulldog and Dynamite Kid)DateWinnerEvent/ShowNote(s)January 26The Hart Foundation(Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart)Superstars aired on tape delay on February 7August 10The Rougeau Brothers(Jacques and Raymond Rougeau)House showOctober 27Strike Force(Rick Martel and Tito Santana)Superstars Aired on tape delay on November 7 Births thumb|upright|right|120px|Becky Lynch January 5 – Willie Mack January 7 – Alisha Edwards January 13 - Ian Riccaboni January 15: Kelly Kellyhttp://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/kellykelly.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150429201929/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/kellykelly.html dead April 29, 2015 Kelly Kelly Kamchen Richard July 4, 2009 Slam Sports Canadian Online Explorer Nicole Matthews January 25 – Laura James January 30 – Becky Lynch February 1 – Ronda Rousey February 28 – Yoshiko Hasegawa March 1 – Kyle O'Reillyhttp://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/17/1638253.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160309210904/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/17/1638253.html dead March 9, 2016 The Pain of Graduation Day June 17, 2006 Johns Fred November 28, 2010 Slam! Sports Canadian Online Explorer March 9 – Aubrey Edwards March 17 – Brody King March 19 – AJ Lee March 20 – Nao Kakuta March 30 – Trent Beretta April 22 – Yusuke Kodama April 23 – Donovan Dijakhttp://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/donovan-dijak-10285.html Donovan Dijak May 18, 2015 The Internet Wrestling Database April 28 – Drew Gulakhttps://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=5451 Drew Gulak www.wrestlingdata.comhttp://www.gerweck.net/2016/10/03/drew-gulak/ Drew Gulak 3 October 2016 Gerweck.net 2016-12-22 April 29 – Brittney Savage May 2 – Pat McAfee May 7 – Angélico May 11 – Lince Doradohttp://tnagutcheck.com/contestants/gut-check-participants/2011-2/april-2011-baton-rouge-la/jose-cordero/ https://web.archive.org/web/20130125005748/http://tnagutcheck.com/contestants/gut-check-participants/2011-2/april-2011-baton-rouge-la/jose-cordero/ Lince Dorado 2013-01-25 2013-01-22 Total Nonstop Action Wrestling dead May 17 – Dash Wilderhttp://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/s/steven-walters/ Dash Wilder Profile August 23, 2015 Online World of Wrestling dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150831035610/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/s/steven-walters/ August 31, 2015 May 23 – Bray Wyatthttp://troytrojans.com/roster.aspx?path=football&rp_id=1511 Windham Rotunda – 2007 Football August 3, 2007 May 18, 2013 Troy Trojanshttp://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/b/bray-wyatt/ Bray Wyatt profile June 17, 2013 Online World of Wrestling June 28, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130628121120/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/b/bray-wyatt/ dead(died in 2023) May 26 – Steve Maclin July 7 – Richie Steamboat July 9 – Mini Charly Manson July 14 – Charly Caruso July 20 – Evil Uno July 24 – Zack Sabre Jr. July 28 – Lindsay Kay Hayward August 11 – Chris Dickinson August 14 – Johnny Garganohttp://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/johnny-gargano.html Online World of Wrestling profile Online World of Wrestling 2010-07-26 2012-08-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20120827075855/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/j/johnny-gargano.html dead August 15 – Shinichiro Tominaga August 16 - Big Bill (wrestler) August 22 – Apollo Crews http://www.wwe.com/videos/apollo-crews-reflects-on-his-nxt-debut-wwecom-exclusive-august-22-2015-27851097 Apollo Crews reflects on his NXT debut: WWE.com Exclusive, August 22, 2015 (0:58) August 22, 2015 August 23, 2015 WWE Apollo Crews comments on what it was like debuting in NXT, before more than 15,000 NXT fans, on his 28th birthday. September 1 – Sami Callihan September 3 – Allie September 4 – Wesley Blake September 5 – A. R. Fox September 15 – Rhett Titus September 21 – Ivelisse Vélez October 7 – Aiden Englishhttp://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=22877 Aiden English wrestling data July 24, 2015 October 23 – Carmellahttp://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/c/carmella/ Carmella Online World of Wrestling 2017-12-26 2017-06-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20170628160846/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/c/carmella dead October 26 – Portia Perez November 2 – Samir Singh November 3 – Cameron November 5 – Allysin Kay November 8 – Kazuchika Okada November 22 – Elias November 30 – Naomi December 7 – A. C. H. December 26 - Mina Shirakawa December 27 – Andy Leavine Debuts Debut date 44em January 3 - P. N. News January 6 - Konnan January 24 - Eden Mabuchi (JWP) March 22 - El Felino March 31 - Isao Takagi April 2 - Art Barr April 11 - Moon Ayako (JWP) April 16 - Selina Majors May 13 - Último Dragón May 29 - Neftaly June - Maxx Payne June 3 - Taz June 9 - Raja Lion June 26 - The Undertaker July 27 - Toshiyo Yamada August 5 - Manami Toyota, Etsuko Mita and Mima Shimoda August 7 - Malia Hosaka September 12 - Bomber Hikaru (JWP) October 10 - Skayde October 28 - Roadblock November 11 - Miki Handa (JWP) November 12 - DeWayne Bruce November 23 - Sachiko Koganei (JWP) December 17 - Alex Pourteau Uncertain debut date 44em Amy the Farmer's Daughter Hardcore Holly Balls Mahoney John Tenta Firebreaker Chip Abismo Negro Pierre Carl Ouellet Cynthia Moreno Glacier Johnny Grunge Joey Maggs Lloyd Anoa'i The Terminator Robert Swenson Sid Vicious Timothy Well Tommy Angel Damien Demento Ron and Don Harris Sad Genius Retirements Tony Garea (1971–1987) Armand Rougeau (1982–1987) Bob Boyer (wrestler) (1950s-1987) Bob Sweetan (1966–1987) Bruno Sammartino (1959–1987) David Schultz (1974–1987) Huracan Ramirez (1941–1987) Ivan Putski (1968–1987) Kelly Kiniski (1980–1987) Killer Khan (1971–1987) Ron Fuller (1973–1987) Klondike Bill (1958–1987) Moose Cholak (1952–1987) Nick Bockwinkel (1955–1987) Paul Boesch (1938–1987) Pedro Morales (1959–1987) Rene Goulet (1957–1987) Super Maxx (1981–1987) Superstar Billy Graham (1970–1987) Tony Marino (1954–1987) Tor Kamata (1959–1987) Al Costello (1938–1987) Deaths Unknown - Milton Reid, 69 or 70 (born 1917) January unknown date - Atholl Oakeley, 86 January 10 - Steve Casey, 78 April 12: Mike Von Erich, 23 Akram Pahalwan, 56 or 57 (born 1930) April 27 - Jim Austeri, 72 August 24 – Malcolm Kirk, 51 August 27 - Peter Mehringer, 77 August 30 - Frank Stojack, 75 September 3 - Rusty Wescoatt, 76 September 5 – Scott Irwin, 35 October 22 - Lino Ventura, 68 November 28 – Kazuharu Sonoda, 31 December 4 - Betty Jo Hawkins, 57 See also List of WCW pay-per-view events List of WWF pay-per-view events References professional wrestling